1 research outputs found
Is there still a role for small wind in rural electrification programmes?
In the right context, Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) can offer a valuable complement to solar photovoltaics (PV) or diesel
generators, offering diversity in power generation sources and the potential for local manufacture. However, the biggest
challenges facing small wind are the high variability in the wind resource (in both space and time) and the high maintenance
requirements of SWTs. What is more, PV prices have fallen dramatically in the last decade, resulting in the proliferation of an
array of desirable and highly modular solar solutions, such as solar lanterns and Solar Home Systems (SHS). Consequently,
outside of high wind regions, SWTs are now rarely directly economically competitive against solar PV. Going forward, SWTs are
still likely to have a role to play, but in niche contexts and as a complimentary addition to hybridise solar PV or diesel systems,
rather than as a standalone alternative.
Market assessments are an essential first step to determine the relative viability of PV-wind or wind-diesel hybrid systems
with PV or diesel systems in particular contexts. In favourable regions, the high maintenance requirements of SWTs can be
tackled by providing stable institutional support to empower local champions, establish a decentralised maintenance network
and foster the development of a local small wind industry. End users and local technicians should be empowered to carry out as
much maintenance as they are able/willing to, especially in remote regions, where frequent long maintenance trips are likely to
lead small wind electrification programmes to failure. Sustainable business models should focus on productive applications and
addressing the weaknesses of diesel and/or solar generation through hybridisation